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Rowan University student dies after being hit by car in Glassboro, officials say

Rowan student struck LMN_0866.jpg

Derrick D. Gilliam, of Bridgeport, Conn., is led out of the Glassboro Police Station by a Gloucester County Sheriff's Officer, Friday morning, April 12, 2013. Gilliam allegedly had an odor of alcohol on his breath when officers arrived at the scene where, 22-year-old Matthew Uhl, of Little Egg Harbor, was struck by a car near his frat house, Mu Alpha chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, around 12:30 a.m. (Staff Photo by Lori M. Nichols/South Jersey Times)

Police said Uhl, a senior, suffered a serious brain injury when he was struck by a car on State Street around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

When police arrived, they found Uhl unconscious and unresponsive on the street, and the driver and vehicle still on the scene. Uhl was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. Officials at the hospital confirmed his death.

The driver, Derrick D. Gilliam, of Bridgeport, Conn., allegedly had an odor of alcohol on his breath and an open bottle of vodka was observed on the floor behind the driver’s seat, said police.

According to police, Gilliam, 26, has been living in Gloucester Township and was driving in Glassboro with an unnamed passenger to visit friends of the passenger's at the Landmark Americana Tap and Grill.

Police had originally been interviewing witnesses at the scene trying to discern the identity of the passenger, who was said to have fled the scene after the accident. However, authorities now say that the person is currently cooperating with police.

Gilliam was taken to police headquarters where he allegedly refused to cooperate with the driving while intoxicated investigation, police said. He was charged with obstruction of the administration of justice and taken to Kennedy University Hospital in Washington Township to have a mandatory blood sample taken, said police.

Gilliam was then lodged in the Gloucester County Jail in Woodbury in default of $25,000 full-cash bail.

Glassboro Police Chief Alex Fanfarillo said Friday afternoon that a motor vehicle fatality would cause the case to be transferred to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

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Police said Uhl was hit near the home of the Mu Alpha chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity where he was a member, according to the university.

An off-campus resident, Uhl was hit by the car as he walked with friends along State Street, a road at the east end of the Glassboro campus, the university said.

There was no answer at the fraternity house door Friday afternoon.

Rowan University student Brian Kohler, a 23-year-old from Oceanport, was charged with obstruction of the administration of justice for unspecified actions at the crash scene, said police.

Since alcohol may have been involved in the crash, complaints are pending completion of the investigation and receipt of toxicology results along with confirmation of speed at the impact of the crash, police said.

Rowan University President Ali Houshmand released a statement Friday afternoon saying that Uhl was a senior entrepreneurship major in the College of Business.

According to the release, the university will share funeral arrangements with the college community when they are available. University officials also referred students to Rowan's Counseling and Psychological Services Center at 856-256-4222.

Throughout the day, friends and classmates of Uhl posted comments on their Facebook pages, hoping for a speedy recovery. However, those comments quickly turned to RIP notices.

Rest in piece Matt Uhl, you'll be missed — Amanda Bence

RIP to Matt Uhl im a miss you bro it was so much fun watching you play football you were a hell of a person and will be missed by everyone :( — Brandon Rodriguez

My thoughts and prayers are with Matt Uhl, his family and the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha. Stay strong everybody! — Tracy Ascher

There's no excuse for drinking and driving. And there's no sympathy for people who do it. Praying for Matt Uhl, his family and his friends — Caroline Sigona

RIP Matt Uhl you were one if the greatest kids I've ever met.. Never a dull moment with you, kid. . Watch over us.. Greek Life took a serious hit today Rowan University, we have lost a great person.. </3 — Mike Alburtus